NRL Round 5 preview: Raiders v Sharks betting tips | April 3

Raiders v Sharks NRL R5 best bets

NRL Round 5 preview: Canberra Raiders v Cronulla Sharks

The Raiders and Sharks open NRL Round 5 at GIO Stadium on Thursday night with both sides looking to rebound from disappointing losses.

The top online bookmakers have priced Cronulla as $1.60 favourites to salute in Canberra, with the home side paying $2.35 despite some strong results to start the year.

Cronulla were shut down at home by a gritty Bulldogs outfit in Round 4, while the Raiders conceded 30 points for the second straight week and now face a stern test under lights at home.

Craig Fitzgibbon’s men have won three straight against the Green Machine — including a brutal 40-0 smashing in Canberra last season — and will be eager to bounce back after an uncharacteristically flat showing last week.

Despite scoring just once in Round 4, the Sharks still dominate possession and territory stats, and their spine led by Nicho Hynes is primed for a return to form.

The Raiders, meanwhile, are battling for consistency. Their attack has shown glimpses — particularly in the opening rounds — but their defence has fallen apart in back-to-back losses.

Canberra will need to show significant improvement to outlast a Sharks side still considered a genuine title threat, with the NRL betting odds pricing them as an $11 chance to win the premiership.

Raiders vs Sharks Round 5 team news

Canberra Raiders

1. Kaeo Weekes
2. Savelio Tamale
3. Matthew Timoko
4. Sebastian Kris
5. Xavier Savage
6. Ethan Strange
7. Jamal Fogarty
8. Josh Papalii
9. Tom Starling
10. Joseph Tapine
11. Hudson Young
12. Matty Nicholson
13. Corey Horsburgh
14. Owen Pattie
15. Simi Sasagi
16. Morgan Smithies
17. Ata Mariota

Morgan Smithies returns from concussion via the bench, with Trey Mooney dropping out. Josh Papali’i starts up front with Joseph Tapine. Corey Horsburgh remains at lock and has been one of the Raiders’ best to start the season.

Cronulla Sharks

1. William Kennedy
2. Samuel Stonestreet
3. Jesse Ramien
4. Mawene Hiroti
5. Ronaldo Mulitalo
6. Braydon Trindall
7. Nicholas Hynes
8. Addin Fonua-Blake
9. Blayke Brailey
10. Oregon Kaufusi
11. Briton Nikora
12. Teig Wilton
13. Cameron McInnes
14. Daniel Atkinson
15. Thomas Hazelton
16. Toby Rudolf
17. Tuku Hau Tapuha

Mawene Hiroti comes into the centres for the Cronulla Sharks for the injured Kayal Iro, while Tom Hazelton returns on the bench. Siosifa Talakai is out due to concussion.

Raiders v Sharks NRL Rd 5 betting predictions

Canberra’s defensive flaws have been badly exposed in the past fortnight, and this isn’t the opponent to be loose against. Cronulla have covered the line in three straight meetings and should be too classy with Hynes pulling the strings. Take the Sharks to win by four or more at $1.90 with BetOnline.

Cronulla second-rower Briton Nikora has scored in two of his last three against the Raiders and is always a target running off Hynes. With Canberra leaking points through the edge, the anytime tryscorer option is a great value play for NRL punters at +180 odds with BetOnline.

Despite Canberra’s defensive lapses, this could still shape up as a low-scoring affair. The Sharks have held two opponents to 12 points or fewer this year and will aim to control the tempo. With Cronulla’s error count likely to be tidied up, the under 47 points with BetOnline looks the smart angle.

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